Osseo Senior High’s Sandra Yimbo recently won the Minnesota Student Readiness Award, which celebrates achievement and college readiness. Among 21 students receiving the award, Yimbo was named the state finalist. This is the first time Minnesota has participated in the campaign, which includes a total of eight states this year.

Yimbo was honored on March 3 at a recognition ceremony at the Minnesota Department of Education. She was selected as the state finalist based on performance factors including college readiness scores in English, mathematics, reading, and science; overall academic growth and progress from grades 8 to 10; and high school GPA.

In June, Yimbo will travel to Washington D.C. to represent Minnesota at the National ACT College and Career Readiness Recognition Gala.

Yimbo submitted a 300-word essay outlining factors that led to her academic success. In the essay, she shared how her parents’ decision to move to the U.S. from Kenya and work so hard for the last 13 years has impacted her.

“It led me to want to work harder because they gave me this opportunity,” Yimbo said. “I don’t want to let it slip by.”

Yimbo also credits the environment at Osseo Senior High, stating many of her teachers; her advisor and her network of friends have all played a role in her success. Outside of the classroom, Yimbo played tennis for Osseo, participated in Junior Class Committee, currently serves as a Student Ambassador, works part-time at the movie theater, volunteers as a Vacation Bible School counselor and enjoys rock climbing. Yimbo plans to attend college in the fall.

In 2013, ACT launched its College & Career Readiness Campaign to celebrate achievement and create awareness around the goal for all students to be prepared for college or a career upon graduation. The eight participating states include: Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

In photo, from left: Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius presents Osseo Senior High student Sandra Yimbo with the ACT College & Career Readiness award.

Two students from Park Center Senior High were recently recognized for their outstanding volunteer contributions.

Senior Olivia Maccoux, was named a Distinguished Finalist for the 2014 Minnesota Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She also received a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Since she was nine-years-old, Olivia has dedicated nearly 1,000 hours serving on the Youth Advisory Council at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, working to help make the hospital a more comfortable place for children.

Olivia has spent a lot of time at the hospital for treatment of hydrocephalus, inspiring her to participate in the Council.

Senior Jenelle Hartzell also received a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. It is a prestigious designation with only six Minnesota finalists and two honorees named this year.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.

“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions the health and vitality of their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and XCEO of Prudential Financials. “By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.